?Chapter 212:


    Alicia hadn''t expected him to take the matter so seriously, and for a moment, words failed her.


    If he refused to ept her simple apology, then what did he want? A meal? Some other form ofpensation? It didn''t seem like Caden''s style.


    Before I could think about it, his deep, soft voice cut through the silence.


    “Are you really sorry?”


    Even over the phone, the weight of his tone sent a chill through her.


    She felt dizzy, as if she were on the edge of a trap she hadn''t seening.


    “Yes,” he replied, albeit with some hesitation.


    “But… even if I didn’t like you, it’s not like it would affect you, right?”


    So shouldn''t a verbal apology suffice?Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    Caden let out a low chuckle, but it was anything but amused.


    “You say you’re sorry, but you back out so quickly.


    ”


    At this Alice remained silent.


    Guilt was gnawing at her, but pride made her insist on proving her sincerity.


    “So… how do you want me to prove how sorry I am?”


    His mockery echoed in her ear, making her shudder.


    “Don’t you know that already?”


    Alice froze.


    In that instant, she understood exactly what he wanted.


    Her first instinct was to hang up on him.


    But Caden, calm as ever, added, “I won’t force you.


    You don’t have to be so scared of me.


    ”


    “Who says I’m afraid of you?” she snapped, though her voice shook enough to betray her.


    “Even your breathing has changed.


    ”


    Seeing herself exposed so easily, she instinctively held her breath, but hisplicit silence only made things worse.


    Caden, not wanting to waste time, got straight to the point.


    “You don’t have toe to me.


    Just give me an hour of your precious time and stay on the phone.


    ”


    His stomach twisted.


    It was a trap and she had fallen right into it.


    Although they had been intimate before, it was the first time she found herself having phone sex.


    Caden took the lead, guiding her into something much more intimate.


    His control was absolute, leaving no room for shame.


    Halfway through, Caden’s voice broke the rhythm.


    “Answer three questions and I’ll shorten the call by twenty minutes.


    ”


    Alice, her mind still reeling from the intensity of the conversation, fell silent.


    She could barely think straight, let alone string together a coherent reply.


    But somehow, her jumbled thoughts told her that answering his questions wouldn''t hurt her at all.


    “Go ahead…” he murmured softly.


    Hearing her tender voice, Caden grew even more aroused.


    His tone dropped an octave, rough and deep.


    “Now that we’re apart… do you miss me?”


    Alice''s mind wandered, her pulse quickening.


    How could he ask such a brazen question? What a moron.


    She took a ragged breath, feeling like a gasping fish.


    She knew he wouldn''t believe her answer, but she refused to admit the truth.


    "No.


    "


    Caden wasn''t looking for honesty.


    He just wanted to y with her, and his knowing chuckle made that clear.


    “Second question: At the bar that night, did you enjoy it when that malepanion flirted with you?”


    Alicia blinked, trying to remember the guy''s face.


    She couldn''t even remember it clearly.


    She licked her dry lips, trying to bring the memory back.


    But no matter how hard she tried, all she could see was Caden''s face.


    “No,” he replied, choosing the simplest answer.


    Caden hummed in satisfaction.


    “Good girl.


    ”


    His breathing became heavier, and the tension in the air was palpable.


    Alice bit her lip, feeling cornered in this game he was ying.


    “Onest question,” he insisted, his voice shaking.


    “I’ll hang upter.


    ”


    Caden paused, prolonging the silence before asking in a low, almost mocking tone, “Did this call… make you feel good?”


    Alicia felt a tingle on her scalp.


    She didn''t dare answer, but herbored breathing gave her away.


    Caden couldn''t help butugh.


    She was indeed as easy to read as a book.


    “You look like you had a great time.


    ” In a seductive voice, she added, “I thought you’d be used to me by now, but I have to say… you got the hang of it right away.


    ”


    In response, a high-pitched beep sounded in his ear.


    Alice had hung up on him.


    Caden stared at the phone, his chest rising and falling withughter.


    How could someone so stubborn be so obedient at the same time? She always did what he asked, but acted like she had no choice.


    He took a deep breath and looked at his restless body.


    He felt like a bundle of nerves: tense, dissatisfied and, in a word, a real pain in the ass.


    With a resigned sigh, she stood up and headed to the bathroom to deal with the rest of her frustration.


    As absurd as it was, the incident left Alice uneasy for days.


    As Christmas approached, the city was bustling with activity, industries were going into overdrive.


    Alice seized the opportunity and arranged meetings with a number of investors.


    Thanks to Gerry''s contacts, everything fell into ce and the negotiations went surprisingly well.


    After one of his meetings with his investors, he called Gerry to invite him to dinner.


    Gerry''s response caught her off guard.


    "I didn''t really do much.


    Caden was the one who got it all going.


    I just set up the meetings.


    "


    Alicia''s heart sank.


    Memories of the day she had fought with Caden flooded her mind.


    Despite their fight over the gallery project, it seemed she was still reaping the benefits of her foresight.


    "Thank him for me, will you?" said Alice, resignedly.


    Gerryughed, ever the conciliator.


    “Why don’t you thank him yourself?”


    Her pulse quickened, but she kept her tone firm.


    “He’s busy.


    I don’t want to bother him.


    ”


    Sensing her reluctance, Gerry did not press the matter further.


    “Well, it’s your first adventure.


    There will be setbacks along the way.


    If you ever find yourself in a bind and don’t want to call Caden, call me.


    ”


    “Thank you, Mr.


    Hopkins,” Alice replied, her gratitude genuine.


    “I really appreciate it.


    ”


    After exchanging a few pleasantries, Alice hung up, feeling a deep tiredness taking hold of her.


    She had been running at top speed for days, with hardly any pauses to breathe.


    Now that the most urgent tasks were over, all she wanted to do was lie down in bed.


    But there was still dinner with the investors, at seven o''clock sharp.


    With a tired nce at the clock, he squared his shoulders,posed himself, and returned to work.


    Meanwhile, Ynda stayed in Caden''s office.


    They were both about to leave work.


    He hade to Warrington with one clear objective: to help Caden with the crucial chip development project.


    It was in its early stages and there was no room for error.


    But Caden, concerned about his health, was not going to let him push himself too hard.


    “It’s time to eat,” he said, his tone brisk and serious.


    “I’ll have the chauffeur take you back to Joy Mansion.


    ”


    Ynda hesitated, a soft smile curling her lips.


    She didn’t want the evening to end.


    Blinking shyly, she asked softly, “Caden, could I join you for dinner?”